A little more than a year after ground was broken, the much-anticipated academy opened Aug. 24. At the ceremony were representatives from the University of Houston and Redstone and family members of the late legendary coach Williams, who guided the Cougars to 16 NCAA golf championships.

"I never expected something like this," said Brown, who won the 1982 NCAA individual championship as a freshman at the University of Houston and works for the Golf Channel as an on-course commentator. "I can't imagine, as a young kid, having the opportunity to come into a facility like this and also have the access to a good university."

Fiori, seeing it for the first time, was equally impressed.

"It's a home for them, and that's what they need," said Fiori, who played on the 1977 UH national championship squad. "It will help with recruiting, and we'll get better players. And better players generate better players."

The Academy has four indoor/outdoor hitting bays, which include launch monitors and the sophisticated SAM Putt Lab. There's also a players' lounge and reception area that showcases the golf program's history.

In addition, head coach Jonathan Dismuke, who just finished his third year, and assistant coach Chris Hill have offices there. Dismuke and the former players believe this is what the program needed to bring it back to national prominence.

"As we continue to elevate our program to the highest levels, we are thrilled to see this day come," said Dismuke, who recently took his team to the NCAA regionals. "One of my goals was to find our program a home and to build a state-of-the-art teaching facility that would help recruit student-athletes to the city and to the University of Houston.

"Having the Dave Williams Golf Academy at the home of the PGA Tour's Shell Houston Open will showcase our outstanding facility to a national audience every year."

While the Golf Academy serves as the home to the UH golf team, it's also open to the public. The facility is operated by Redstone Golf Club and led by Redstone director of golf Charlie Epps, and Redstone's teaching professionals have access to the facility to offer lessons.

The opening was also part of an ongoing relationship between Redstone and UH. Last year, the Cougars and the club reached an agreement under which Redstone will serve as the home course of Houston Golf. Redstone Golf Club also will serve as the site for the Redstone Collegiate Championships, which will be hosted by UH and Rice on Feb. 22-24.

Williams served as the head golf coach at UH from 1952-87. During his tenure, the Cougars won national championships covering four decades, with eight of his student-athletes winning NCAA individual titles. His teams won 341 tournaments in 24 states and countries.

"It is altogether fitting that this new facility is named in honor of one of the most respected men in college athletics," said Mack Rhoades, Houston vice president of Intercollegiate Athletics. "No coach in history can boast of more team and individual success or had a greater impact on the lives of the student-athletes with whom he worked than Dave Williams."